Campaign aims to raise funds to equip new centre Young and elderly patients greet each other like old friends at a Sham Shui Po medical centre, exchanging notes or stock market news, while others take a midday nap. Most are looking forward to the Christmas get-together this month. All this while, they are attached to haemodialysis machines, life-saving devices that help end-stage renal-failure patients rid their bodies of potentially fatal toxin build-ups. It is a leisurely way of spending four to five hours of dialysis an average of two times a week. In 1991, when the Lions Kidney Educational Centre and Research Foundation opened its first clinic, inside the Caritas-run Precious Blood Hospital, the room was dark and dingy, with elderly people moaning in wheelchairs. The haemodialysis machines were tucked away inside. What a difference 17 years has made. Patients and their carers are learning to take control of the disease, instead of letting it overwhelm their lives. A second centre, called the Chan Wong Sau Wah Memorial Renal Dialysis Centre, opened in 2000, walking distance away at 132 Un Chau Street. The foundation's founding chairman, Timothy Teoh Sim-chuan, a urologist who serves as honorary executive administrator, said that with 36 machines, there was a waiting list of 50 patients. Because of this and an ageing population, the foundation is building a third centre at a cost of HK$6 million at street level on Un Chau Street. It is seeking funding from Operation Santa Claus to buy three Swedish-made haemodialysis machines to equip the new centre. The foundation is one of 13 beneficiaries of Operation Santa Claus this year. Eighty-three-year-old Ms Kwok came prepared with white flower oil and sweets. She has been on dialysis for 14 years. She shook her head when asked if dialysis hurt, saying: 'I am quite happy. Thank you Operation Santa Claus.' 'Thank you ong tai han tong. (Operation Santa Claus),' she grinned. Mr Lo, 86, who was napping, has been a satisfied 'customer' - he was among the first to patronise the centre when it opened 18 years ago. Ms Cheng, 78, was spending quality time with her daughter, who brought her lunch.For six months, Ms Cheng had to pay HK$3,000 a treatment for dialysis at a private hospital. At the centre, it costs between HK$950 and HK$1,120. The unit's renal manager, Anna Mok Lai-chun, said: 'Our oldest patient is nearly 90 ... the average age of patients is 73 to 74.' Ms Hung, 45, has been on dialysis for 15 years, 12 of them with the Lions centre. 'We're just like old friends,' she said. 'In these very difficult times, I think all people should donate to help charities like Operation Santa.' Organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK, Operation Santa Claus, is now in its 21st year. Wish list Aim Lions Kidney Educational Centre and Research Foundation needs three new haemodialysis machines, at a cost of HK$150,000 each, to equip a third dialysis centre near Precious Blood Hospital in Sham Shui Po. About 100 to 200 patients suffering from end-stage kidney failure will benefit. Funds needed HK$450,000 Amount raised so far: HK$1,180,907